Nine years later the governor-general has announced Mr Swift will receive a Commendation for Brave Conduct, one of Australia's bravery decorations, for his actions that day.

Mr Swift, now 32 and working full-time as a firefighter in Sydney's North Shore, says he "never expected recognition"- he was just doing what he had been trained to do.

At the time of the incident Mr Swift was a retained firefighter at New Lambton. He had a day off and was moving furniture with a friend.

"We pulled into the service station to grab some fuel and my mate had gone into pay when all of a sudden there was screaming," he said.

"A gentleman was refueling a car and there must have been a hole in the fuel delivery. It had pooled underneath the car and the vapour exploded.

"The whole undercarriage of the car was on fire.

"Flames were coming up the doors."

Trapped in the back seat were two babies in boosters and a four-year-old girl.

"I told everyone to run and get away. I ran to the extinguisher and approached the fire and began to try and fight what was going on from a safe distance. I managed to get it out after expelling a whole cylinder on it.

"I directed the parents to retrieve the children when they could. We pushed the car to a safe position and I rendered the situation as safe as best as I could.

"I remember the dad came over after and said, 'I'm so grateful, mate. I'd shake hands with you if I could'. But he couldn't because he had a baby in each arm."

Mr Swift said he was "humbled" by the incident.

"I'm just grateful someone was there who knew what they were doing and could diffuse the situation before it got worse or people lost their lives."

Mr Swift said he wanted to be a firefighter ever since he saw his first fire truck as a child.

He signed up as a volunteer with the Rural Fire Service at the age of 15.

"I have memories of being a young boy and the firemen coming and going up through the fire engine," he said.

"That's what I love doing now. Going to preschools and everyone is really excited to see you.

"They remember that sort of thing, so it's important to make a good impression."

Mr Swift said it took almost 11 years to land his "dream job" as a full-time firefighter.

"It's such a sought after job," he said.

"For the guys and girls who are trying to get into a job, don't give up. You've got to work hard for it."

Mr Swift will receive his bravery award in September.